AN ARMY veteran enjoyed being the centre of attention as he celebrated a milestone birthday. 

Walter Anderson was surround by friends and family as he enjoyed the “once in a lifetime opportunity” of turning 100. 

The father of two, born in London, enjoyed a day of food and entertainment at the Heatherside Rest Home, in Hook. He received a special message from The Queen as well as a personally signed letter from his beloved Tottenham Hotspur’s manager Mauricio Pochettino. 

Growing up with seven siblings, Walter said his house was a busy place before he joined the Army in 1940. 

He said: “When we were younger we had to make our fun and in a house of three boys and four girls we came up with lots of different games.” 

Walter was a tank gunner for the 51st armoured division which served in Egypt and later station in Sicily and was part of the operation which led to the fall of Mussolini. 

He met his wife Kathleen – known as Kitty – at a London club and they married in 1953 when he became a family man with his two children Jan and David. 

The Anderson’s moved to Basingstoke around 1970, where Walter worked in the maintenance department of Eli Lilly. 

Walter told The Gazette: “You see so much throughout the years it is hard to pick just one standout memory. 

“Today has been a bit overwhelming but I am enjoying all the attention.” 

And Walter is no stranger to being centre stage, as in his youth he used to perform on stage in London, singing and playing the harmonica – he said he may even share a song with his family on his birthday. 

Walter’s daughter Jan, 58 said all of her dad’s family had lived long lives, but Walter was the first to hit three digits, adding: “He is such a quiet man who throughout his life has been brilliant and brave.”